Mayor Ondo programs improvements for public market

Work goes on at a drainage project, one of the numerous physical improvements implemented at the public market by Mayor Ondo Codilla. (Photo by Joey Vincent Motel)

THE local government unit (LGU) plans to purchase a compactor for the public market. This was learned from Market Administrator Engr. Arthur Arcuino who said that the perennial problem of waste disposal in his area of responsibility has been addressed gradually with the help of a dump truck lent to them by the City Engineering Office. Said dump truck transports waste from the public market to the sanitary landfill in Green Valley.

Even if the LGU has purchased four new garbage compactors for the city’s sanitation drive, Engr. Arcuino wants the public market to have its own unit to sustain his cleanliness efforts in the complex. “Dili na unya na matambak nganha [ang mga basura] basta naa na tay equipment,” he shares.

Engr. Arcuino bares his other plans for the public market like the designation of parking lanes to ease traffic congestion during peak hours and clearing the sidewalks of vendors and carts that pose as obstacles to pedestrians. “Naa mi na-‘embargo’ nga pushcarts nga ipang-parking lang bisa’g asa. Unta inig human og gamit, ihipos lang na sa ila,” he said.

Engr. Arcuino lauds the cooperation of fish vendors by refraining from plying their trade outside the wet market and hopes vegetable vendors will follow suit. With Mayor Edward C. Codilla’s plan to construct a separate section for the Ormoc Sidewalk Vendors Association, its members will be issued permits and lease contracts to legitimize their business.

On the issue of unscrupulous vendors who cheat their customers, the City Treasurer’s Office conducted three surprise inspections upon Engr. Arcuino’s request that led to the confiscation of more than 30 defective weighing scales. He plans to put weighing scales with accurate readings at strategic locations of the market.

Now that Mayor Codilla intends to rehabilitate the dry goods and eatery sections as well as the food court on the second floor of Building B, Engr. Arcuino is looking into design changes of the buildings to make them more appealing to customers. He also wants to provide entertainment like performing bands and musicians at the food court once its renovation is done. (by Joey Vincent Motel)